The Orange County Department of Education is once again hosting the OC Civic Learning Celebration to promote and support civic engagement among youths.
Presented at the OC Holocaust Education Center in Newport Beach on April 25 from 4 to 6 p.m., the celebration will promote the importance of amplifying students’ voices through civic learning and engagement while highlighting the impressive achievements students throughout the region have made to better their communities.
The free event will also convene local dignitaries and experts who are developing criteria, identifying pathways and designing curricula for students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement in their district.
In September 2020, the State Board of Education approved criteria for the seal, an incentive aimed at encouraging active and ongoing citizenship. To earn this distinction, students must demonstrate excellence in civic learning, participation in civics-related projects, contributions to their communities and an understanding of the U.S. Constitution, the state Constitution and the American democratic system.
Orange County schools have a strong history with the state’s Civic Learning Awards program for building and participating in exemplary civic learning programs and creating service-learning opportunities. Notably, students in the county continue to outpace their peers across the state in the acquisition of the state seal.
In the 2022-23 school year, nearly 3,900 local students earned the seal, reflecting a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year. This achievement is reflected on transcripts, diplomas or certificates of completion.
Students, educators and administrators in the K-12 system are encouraged to register in advance for this year’s OC Civic Learning Celebration, which also calls for students to present how they and their peers are working toward finding solutions to issues that are impacting their communities.
For more information about the event, contact OCDE History/Social Science Manager Marika Manos at mmanos@ocde.us.